When The Bitch Falls

CHAPTER 45

Sa sumunod na gabi, nagyaya si Xyrina na magpunta sa Miss A. Gusto niyang magsaya kasama ang mga kaibigan kaya sumang-ayon na rin siya.

"Kira, he's here," bulong ni Xyrina sa kanyang tabi. Pabalik-balik ang sulyap nito sa likuran nila. "Your Black is here."

Naghumerentado ang puso ni Kira dahil sa sinabi ni Xyrina. Diretso niyang tinungga ang isang baso ng margarita kaya napangiwi siya. Nanuot ang lamig nito sa kanyang lalamunan.

"Correction, Xy, it's just Cadmium now." Mapait siyang ngumiti. "No more Black, alright?"

Kira meant it. She, at least her ego, already gave up on him. Cadmium had hurt her enough. He had owned her heart once, yet, he only filled it with dead air and left her suffocated. That made her realize how toxic he was for her.

However, against this thought was her heart screaming in protest and opposition. When she remembered the kisses they shared, her heart crumbled. When she heard his name being mentioned, her heart crazed. She could not deny that she was still into him. It was never easy to forget someone that fast when you had already dug the deepest to love him. No doubt, she still mourned for his presence.

Her heart was soft for him. Her brain was hardened by pain. And that's not a good thing. It's her against herself.

She got herself back to reality when someone tapped her tightly-clamped lap. It was Coleen, trying to get her attention. Her friend was seated in front of her. She thought Coleen was looking at her but her friend's gaze seemed to pass over her shoulders.

Kira had to tilt her head a little to the side so she can see who or what her friend was looking at. To her surprise, she met Cadmium's intimidating stare. She was frozen to her seat and could hardly look away, as if his gaze was magnet. He took a glass of whiskey without leaving a sight of her. Kira's stomach churned.

"She's creeping me out, Kira," komento ni Coleen. Ibinaling nito ang tingin sa kanya. "He's been staring at you for too long now."

Ibinaling niya ang tingin sa kaibigan at marahang umiling. "Huwag niyo na lang siyang pansinin. Mapapagod rin 'yan. Hindi rin naman niya ako maaangkin sa titig niya."

Unti-unting gumuhit ang ngisi sa mukha ni Xyrina. May nakatagong kahulugan sa ekspresiyon ng mukha nito. Nagkatinginan ang tatlo na para bang nag-uusap gamit ang mga mata. Nagkibit-balikat si Klein at sumimsim ng whiskey.

"Bakit, Kira? Hindi ka pa ba naaangkin ng Black mo noon?" tanong ng katabi.

Agad na nag-init ang kanyang mukha. Malakas ang tugtog ng musika sa loob ng bar ngunit klaro pa rin sa kanyang pandinig ang tanong ng kaibigan. Biglang pumasok sa isip niya iyong unang gabing binigay niya ang sarili kay Cadmium. Pinilig niya ang ulo at pilit na iniwaksi ang memoryang iyon sa kanyang isipan, pansamantala.

"That's a very..." Namuo ang bukol sa kanyang lalamunan. "Private thing to discuss."

Umangat ang isang sulok ng labi ni Xyrina. "So, meron nga?"

Inirapan niya ang kaibigan. "I'm not saying that. Ang sabi ko langㅡ"

"Shut it, Kira," natatawang sabat ni Klein. Nakaakbay ito kay Xyrina. "You don't have to deny the obvious. Besides, sex is normal. You can do it with anyone."

Sabay na napasinghap si Kira at Coleen dahil sa naging komento ni Klein. Kahit kailan talaga itong pinsan niya, walang preno sa pagsasalita.

"Anong sabi mo, Klein? You can do it with anyone?" Nakita niya ang pagsimangot ni Xyrina. "What? You've been bedding other girls, huh?"

Marahas nitong hinawi ang braso ni Klein na nakapatong sa balikat. Humalukipkip si Xyrina habang si Klein ay panay sa pagpapaliwanag. Nagkatinginan silang dalawa ni Coleen at napa-iling. Naaamoy na naman niya ang pag-aaway ng dalawa.